In Memory of Lily Wallis
Dean Kelley is raising money for Little Havens Children's Hospice
Participants: Dean Kelley
Story
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Thanks for visiting my London Marathon Charity Page. Training is going well (so far) and my knees are holding out, I am really enjoying getting up at 7am on Sunday mornings and running in the freezing cold… I recommend it to anyone!!!!
I have decided that I would like to raise money for an Essex based Children’s Hospice called Little Havens. The picture to the left is of a little girl called Lily who has been cared for by Little Havens at various times during her short life. Sadly, Lily passed away on Christmas Eve aged 5.
Little Havens is a very special place that enables children like Lily and their families to spend time together in a caring, happy environment for respite and end of life care. Little Havens was an extremely important place for Lily and her family.
Below is an E-mail that Lily's mum sent to me, please read it and see how your money will help..
First of all I must say that I am so pleased that you have decided to run the marathon in Lily's memory... I am so proud of all she achieved in her short life, but to know how much she touched so many people only makes those feelings stronger... The sort of work that you are doing will ensure that the memory of Lily will never die... She fought every day of her life and I hope that every time you run you will feel her with you...Thank you so much....
The nature of Lily's condition meant that she needed round the clock care...She didn't just need a Mum and Dad she needed a nurse. Sometimes we just wanted to be Mum and Dad and Little Haven enabled us to be just that...They took over Lily's medical needs and gave us the chance to hold her and do the things that 'normal' parents do. We didn't have to watch the clock for medications or feeds...The staff at Little Haven did that for us...
When Lily suddenly deteriorated on 22nd Dec we took Lily into Little Haven...We knew then that was where we would spend Christmas...Gary, Charlie, Elliot and I stayed in the family rooms upstairs in Little Haven and left Lily in the safe hands of the care team at night time....At 0130 on 24/12/06 one of the care team members knocked on the door to say that Lily's breathing had changed. At 0215 Lily passed away.....
Imagine if Little Haven hadn't existed...we would have been in a hospital and had to say good bye to her that night...Who knows we may not have been with her when she died....For the week that followed, including Christmas day, the staff were on duty to let our family and friends in to support us and to see Lily....They made appointments for us so that the necessary arrangements could be made...They even put a present under the tree for Charlie and Elliot....This type of care is priceless....
After Lily passed away one of my friends said 'I guess Santa needed an extra fairy this year'. I thought that was beautiful..